Gravity fed cigarette carton with dispensing portion

ABSTRACT

A carton assembly for packages of smoking articles comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, a first side portion, a second side portion, a first end portion, a second end portion and a dispensing portion. The dispensing portion is defined by a perforation line on the first and second side portions and the bottom portion before the hinged dispensing portion is opened. When the perforation line is torn, the dispensing portion may be removed allowing cigarette packages to be withdrawn from the carton.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the packaging of smoking articles such as cigarettes into cartons, and in particular, to a gravity fed cigarette carton assembly having a dispensing portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is common practice to ship and store cigarette packages in cartons. Conventional or standard cigarette cartons ordinarily hold ten packages, each package containing about 20 cigarettes. The packages are usually arranged in two relatively superposed rows of 5 packages each. Such standard cartons completely encase the cigarette packages and are provided with glued flaps. Examples of cartons for ten packages of cigarettes are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 3,752,308 to Begemann; U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,359 to Phillips, Jr.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,844 to Oglesby.

[0003] Cigarette packages are normally removed from a carton by opening a top portion of the carton, which extends the length of the carton and exposes the top of the cigarette packages when opened, and removing the packages as needed. One problem with removing cigarette packages from the top of the carton is that all of the cigarette packages can fall out of the carton if it is knocked over.

[0004] Previous cartons have included ways to remove cigarette packages other than opening the top portion. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,875,938 issued to Bramhill shows a cigarette carton having an opening for the removal of cigarettes. Bramhill only discloses a cigarette carton where the cigarette packages are arranged in a single row of eight packages. In addition, the top flap of the carton disclosed by Bramhill opens only to expose the side faces of the cigarette packages. Thus, when cigarette packages are arranged in the carton of Barnhill, the ends of the packages could not be tax stamped while in the carton using modern tax stamping equipment.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 2,771,988 issued to Sweeney shows a cigarette carton that can be converted into a gravity fed receptacle for mounting. To remove a cigarette package from the carton of Sweeney, a person must push the packages out of the carton by inserting a finger or thumb in an opening on the opposite side. One disadvantage of the carton of Sweeney is that the carton must be placed in a location where a person has access to the back of it in order to push the cigarettes out.

[0006] Another patent illustrating a carton which allows for the removal of cigarette packages without opening the top portion is U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,402 issued to Walter. Walter discloses a carton that contains ten packages of cigarettes arranged in a face to face stack. A dispensing portion is shown for the removal of cigarette packages. The width of the dispensing portion is equal to the depth of the cigarette package such that the cigarette packages are removed sideways. One disadvantage of Walter is that the carton is designed to hold ten cigarette packages arranged in a face to face stack. This ten by one arrangement would make it difficult to implement the Walter patent in conventional cigarette production processes, particularly with regard to the tax stamping of cigarette packages.

[0007] The present invention addresses these problems by providing a carton assembly with a dispensing portion that enables the removal of individual cigarette packages. The dispensing portion may be removed from the carton allowing for the withdrawal of cigarette packages. Carton assemblies of the present invention containing cigarette packages may be tax stamped using conventional tax stamping machines and may be produced without changing print cylinders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention relates to carton assemblies for cigarette packages. One carton assembly of the present invention comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, a first side portion, a second side portion, a first end portion, a second end portion and a dispensing portion. In one embodiment, the dispensing portion, before it is removed, is defined by a perforation line on the first and second side portions and the bottom portion. In a further embodiment, the perforation line preferably extends from the first side portion, across a first edge at the intersection of the bottom portion and the first side portion, across the width of the bottom portion, across a second edge at the intersection of the bottom portion and the second side portion, and onto the second side portion. The dispensing portion may be removed to allow for the removal of cigarette packages from the cigarette carton assembly. The carton assembly may be vertically positioned on a flat surface to provide for the easy removal of cigarette packages. With the carton assembly vertically oriented, the cigarette packages are gravity fed to the opening where the dispensing portion was removed.

[0009] It is a feature and advantage of the present invention to provide a carton assembly for cigarette packages that includes a dispensing portion for the easy removal of cigarette packages from the carton.

[0010] It is a further feature and advantage of the present invention to provide a carton assembly that includes a gravity fed dispensing portion for cigarette packages.

[0011] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a carton assembly for cigarette packages that allows individual cigarette packages to be removed without opening the entire carton assembly.

[0012] A still further feature and advantage of the present invention is to provide a carton assembly that by allowing individual cigarette packages to be removed without opening the entire carton assembly, prevents all of the cigarette packages from falling out of the carton at once.

[0013] The present invention also advantageously provides a carton assembly that includes a removable dispensing portion.

[0014] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a carton assembly that may be produced on conventional carton manufacturing equipment with minimal modifications.

[0015] A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a carton assembly having a dispensing portion that may be opened like a conventional carton assembly by not removing the dispensing portion.

[0016] A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a carton assembly that when filled with cigarette packages can be passed through a conventional tax stamping machine.

[0017] With the foregoing and other advantages and features of the invention that will become hereinafter apparent, the nature of the invention may be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, the appended claims and to the several views illustrated in the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a blank portion for making a carton assembly according to the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a typical cigarette package;

[0020]FIG. 3 is another side elevational view of a typical cigarette package;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a top elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 7 is a bottom elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 8 is another side elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 9 is another side elevational view of the second side of the embodiment of the carton assembly shown in FIGS. 4-8;

[0027]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a carton assembly according to the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly according to the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 12 is a bottom elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly according to the present invention; and

[0030]FIG. 13 is another side elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly according to the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a carton assembly of the present invention positioned on a flat surface; and

[0032]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a carton assembly of the present invention having a hinged dispensing portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The present invention relates to the packaging of smoking articles such as cigarettes into cartons, and in particular, to a cigarette carton having a dispensing portion. One carton assembly of the present invention for a plurality of cigarette packages comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, a first side portion, a second side portion, a first end portion, a second end portion and a dispensing portion. Before it is removed, the dispensing portion is preferably defined by a perforation line on the first and second side portions and the bottom portion. In a further embodiment, the perforation line preferably extends from the first side portion, across a first edge at the intersection of the bottom portion and the first side portion, across the width of the bottom portion, across a second edge at the intersection of the bottom portion and the second side portion, and onto the second side portion. A first end of the perforation line terminates at an edge of the first side portion where the first side portion and the second end portion intersect. A second end of the perforation line terminates at an edge of the second side portion where the second side portion and the second end portion overlap.

[0034] Carton assemblies of the present invention can hold any number of cigarette packages. Standard cigarette carton assemblies contain ten cigarette packages in a two by five configuration. Thus, in a further embodiment, a carton assembly of the present invention contains ten cigarette packages. While the figures contained herein illustrate cigarette carton assemblies designed to contain ten cigarette packages, other embodiments of carton assemblies of the present invention may contain, for example, five cigarette packages (in a one by five configuration) or eight cigarette packages (in a two by four configuration).

[0035] Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a blank portion 10 for making a carton assembly according to the present invention. The blank portion 10 is designed to form an assembled “standard” carton for ten cigarette packages arranged in a two by five configuration. As noted above, other blank portions for making carton assemblies according to the present invention may be designed to hold any number of cigarette packages.

[0036] The blank portion 10 most preferably is provided from paperboard sheet, and includes a plurality of fold lines, creases or score lines (shown as solid lines in FIG. 1), perforations, cuts or slits (shown as dotted lines in FIG. 1). The degree of perforation can vary, and can be provided as desired. However, the degree of perforation is such that the dispensing portion 70 does not easily tear. The cuts conveniently are made by slitting the blanks without necessarily removing material therefrom. The folds, perforations and cuts of the blank portion define panels which correspond to walls, portions, sides and flaps of the carton assembly, which ultimately is constructed from the blank portion 10.

[0037] The blank portion 10 includes a bottom portion 20 corresponding to the bottom of the carton assembly, a first side portion 25, a second side portion 30, a first end portion 35 positioned integral with and at one end of the first side portion 25 and a second end portion 40 positioned integral with and at the other end of the first side portion. The length of the first side portion 25 is preferably equal to the width of five cigarette packages. FIGS. 2 and 3 are elevational views of a typical cigarette package illustrating what is meant by the height (H), width (W) and depth (D) of a cigarette package. The length of the second side portion 30 also is essentially equal to the width of five cigarette packages. The width of each side wall portion 25, 30 is equal to the height of a cigarette package. The width of the bottom portion 20 is essentially equal to the depth of two cigarette packages. The dimensions of the carton assembly may vary depending on the size of the cigarette packages. For example, a cigarette package containing 100 mm cigarettes would require a side wall portion with a greater width (i.e., a taller cigarette carton assembly) than a cigarette package containing 85 mm cigarettes.

[0038] The blank portion 10 also includes a first end flap 50 integral with and at one end of second side portion 30, a second end flap 55 integral with and at the other end of second side portion 30, and reinforcing tabs 60,62 integral with and at the ends of the bottom portion 20. While the first reinforcing tab 60 may be optional, a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes both reinforcing tabs 60,62. The second reinforcing tab 62 is positioned near the dispensing portion 70. The blank portion 10 also includes a top flap 65 integral with and to one side of the first side portion 25 and a top portion 45 integral with and to one side of the second side portion 30.

[0039] When assembled, the top portion 45 overlaps the top flap 65 to form the top of the carton. The first end portion 35 overlaps the first end flap 50 and the first reinforcing tab 60 while the second end portion 40 overlaps the second end flap 55 and the second reinforcing tab 62.

[0040]FIG. 1 also shows the dispensing portion 70. The dispensing portion 70 is preferably removable. Before the dispensing portion 70 is removed, it comprises a perforation 75 line on the first and second side portions 25,30 and the bottom portion 20. The perforation line 75 extends from the first side portion 25, across a first edge 80 at the intersection of the bottom portion 20 and the first side portion 25, across the width of the bottom portion 20, across a second edge 85 at the intersection of the bottom portion 20 and the second side portion 30, and onto the second side portion 30. Aside from the arcuate regions 100,105 which are preferably cut (as discussed below), the perforation line, in one embodiment, comprises two millimeter (2 mm) perforations with one and a half millimeter (1.5 mm) perforation gaps.

[0041] The first end 107 of the perforation line 75 terminates at an edge 92 of the first side portion 25 (i.e., the intersection of the first side portion 25 and the second end portion 40). As shown in FIG. 1, the first end 107 of the perforation line 75 preferably terminates at the corner where the first side portion 25, the second end portion 40 and the bottom portion 40 intersect. The second end 109 of the perforation line 75 terminates at an edge 97 of the second side portion 30 (i.e., the intersection of the second side portion 30 and the second end flap 55). As shown in FIG. 1, the second end 109 of the perforation line 75 preferably terminates at the corner where the second side portion 30, the second end flap 55 and the bottom portion 20 intersect.

[0042] The perforation line 75 also preferably includes arcuate regions 100,105 on each of the side portions 25,30. The arcuate regions 100,105 are preferably the approximate width of an adult's finger, such that the perforation line 75 can be readily torn to open the dispensing portion 70. Instead of the arcuate regions 100,105 shown in FIG. 1, other shapes, such as square tab regions, could be used to assist in opening the dispensing portion 70. However, the dispensing portion is more easily opened with arcuate regions as they have no comers. In addition, rather than being perforated, the two arcuate regions 100,105 are preferably cut leaving two ticks 112,114,116,118 per arcuate region 100,105 that connect the arcuate regions 100,105 to the remainder of the carton 10. This assists in the removal of the dispensing portion 70 through the arcuate regions 100,105.

[0043] When the blank portion is assembled into a carton assembly as shown in FIGS. 4-16, the carton preferably holds 10 cigarette packages, arranged or positioned in a standard two by five configuration. That is, five packages are positioned side-by-side in a row on the first side portion, and five packages are positioned side-by-side on the second side portion of the carton. The length of the assembled carton is, thus, preferably equal to the width of five packages of cigarettes. The height of the assembled carton is preferably equal to the height of a cigarette package and the depth of the assembled carton is preferably equal to the depth of two cigarette packages. As noted above, while FIGS. 4-16 illustrate a standard cigarette carton assembly designed to contain ten cigarette packages, other embodiments of carton assemblies of the present invention may contain, for example, five cigarette packages (in a one by five configuration) or eight cigarette packages (in a two by four configuration).

[0044] FIGS. 4-9 present several views of an embodiment of a carton assembly 125 of the present invention in which the dispensing portion 130 has not been removed. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a carton assembly 125 of the present invention in which the dispensing portion 130 has not been removed. FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of the present invention showing the first side portion 140 and the perforation line 155. FIG. 6 is a top elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of the present invention showing the top portion 145. FIG. 7 is a bottom elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of the present invention showing the bottom portion 160 and the perforation line 155. FIG. 8 is another side elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of the present invention showing the first end portion 150. FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the second side portion 165 of the embodiment of the carton assembly shown in FIGS. 4-8.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 4-9, the perforation line 155 extends from the first side portion 140, across a first edge 142 at the intersection of the bottom portion 160 and the first side portion 140, across the width of the bottom portion 160, across a second edge 162 at the intersection of the bottom portion 160 and the second side portion 165, and onto the second side portion 165. The first end of the perforation line 155 terminates at a comer 152 where the first side portion 140, the second end portion and the bottom portion 160 intersect. From this corner 152, the perforation line 155 follows the edge 144 of the first side portion 140 where the first side portion 140 and the second end portion intersect (see also FIG. 1) before extending across the face of the side portion 140. The second end of the perforation line 155 terminates at a comer 167 where the second side portion 165, an second end flap (not visible in FIGS. 4-9) and the bottom portion 160 intersect. From this comer 167, the perforation line 155 follows the edge 164 of the second side portion 165 where the second side portion 165 and an end flap intersect (see also FIG. 1), or where the second side portion 165 and the second end portion overlap, before extending across the face of the side portion 165.

[0046] FIGS. 10-14 present several views of an embodiment of a carton assembly 175 of the present invention in which the dispensing portion 195 has been removed. In these figures, the perforation line on the unopened carton assembly has been torn to remove the dispensing portion.

[0047]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a carton assembly 175 of the present invention in which the dispensing portion has been removed. FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of the present invention with the dispensing portion removed showing the first side portion 180. FIG. 12 is a bottom elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of the present invention with the dispensing portion removed showing the bottom portion 185. FIG. 13 is another side elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of the present invention with the dispensing portion removed showing the first end portion 190.

[0048] The length of the dispensing portion is preferably equal to the width of a package of cigarettes. The width of the dispensing portion is preferably equal to the depth of the carton (i.e., the depth of two packages of cigarettes). When a dispensing portion having these dimensions is used and removed from a carton assembly of the present invention, one or two cigarette packages may be removed from the carton assembly as illustrated in FIG. 14.

[0049]FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a carton assembly 200 containing cigarette packages 210,215 of the present invention with the dispensing portion removed. The carton assembly 200 is vertically oriented on a flat surface 205. With the dispensing portion removed, a consumer may easily remove cigarette packages 210,215 from the carton assembly 200.

[0050] In another embodiment, the dispensing portion may be hinged. As used herein, the term “hinged” refers to the capability of the dispensing portion to pivot and move from an open configuration to a closed configuration. When the carton is assembled, the hinge of the dispensing portion (e.g., the crease in the paperboard that allows the dispensing portion to open and close) is preferably at or near the intersection of the bottom portion and one of the end portions. The hinge is preferably located on the second end portion less than one inch above the intersection of the bottom portion and a second reinforcing tab. In another embodiment, the dispensing portion is hinged at the intersection of the bottom portion and the second end portion of the carton assembly (the intersection of the bottom portion and the second reinforcing tab of the unassembled carton). In other embodiments, the dispensing portion may be hinged at other locations on the bottom portion.

[0051]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a carton assembly 250 of the present invention having a hinged dispensing portion 255. In this embodiment, the perforation line in the unopened carton assembly extends to the corner 275 where the side portions, bottom portion and end portion or end flap intersect. Thus, the dispensing portion 255 is not removable, but pivots between an open configuration and a closed configuration to allow for the removal of cigarette packages.

[0052] As used herein, the term “cigarette package” means a package comparable in size and shape to a conventional cigarette package which normally contains 20 cigarettes. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,734 to Allen et. al. The package can be a soft package or a crush proof box. Generally, a cigarette package has a height of about 70 mm to about 125 mm, and most frequently 20 rod-shaped smoking articles each having a circumference of about 21 mm to about 27 mm are arranged therein in a so-called “7-6-7” or “7-7-6” configuration.

[0053] As used herein, the term “standard carton assembly” means a carton assembly which is capable of containing two rows of five cigarette packages. Generally, the length of a standard carton assembly is a minimum of about 200 mm and a maximum of about 286 mm (the approximate width of five cigarette packages). Generally, the width of a standard carton assembly ranges from about 40 mm to about 65 mm (the approximate depth of two cigarette packages). Generally, the height of a standard carton assembly (when the top portion is closed) ranges from about 70 mm to about 125 mm (the approximate height of a cigarette package).

[0054] An example of a preferred embodiment of this invention is as follows. A carton assembly has a length of about 270 mm, a height of about 102 mm, and a width of about 45 mm, and contains 10 packages of 20 cigarettes. The packages are arranged in 2 rows in a 1 by 5 fashion within the carton assembly. The carton assembly is manufactured from paperboard having a thickness of about 0.25 mm to about 0.30 mm, preferably of about 0.267 mm to about 0.292 mm. The carton assembly is provided from an unassembled carton of the type shown in FIG. 1.

[0055] With respect to the descriptions set forth above, optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention (to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use) are deemed readily apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed herein.

[0056] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the foregoing is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and all suitable modifications and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims are deemed within the present inventive concept.

[0057] The features of the present invention, together with the other objects of the invention, and along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 

I claim:
 1. A carton assembly for a plurality of cigarette packages, comprising: a top portion, a bottom portion, a first side portion, a second side portion, a first end portion and a second end portion; and a dispensing portion; wherein the dispensing portion is defined by a perforation line on the first and second side portions and the bottom portion.
 2. The carton assembly of claim 1 containing ten packages of cigarettes.
 3. The carton assembly of claim 1 containing five packages of cigarettes.
 4. The carton assembly of claim 1, wherein the dispensing portion is removable.
 5. The carton assembly of claim 1, wherein the length of the dispensing portion is equal to the width of a cigarette package.
 6. The carton assembly of claim 1, wherein the perforation line extends from the first side portion, across a first edge at the intersection of the bottom portion and the first side portion, across the width of the bottom portion, across a second edge at the intersection of the bottom portion and the second side portion, and onto the second side portion.
 7. The carton assembly of claim 6, wherein a first end of the perforation line terminates at an edge of the first side portion where the first side portion and the second end portion intersect.
 8. The carton assembly of claim 7, wherein a second end of the perforation line terminates at an edge of the second side portion where the second side portion and the second end portion overlap.
 9. The carton assembly of claim 6, wherein a first end of the perforation line terminates at a corner of the carton assembly where the first side portion, the second end portion and the bottom portion intersect.
 10. The carton assembly of claim 9, wherein a second end of the perforation line terminates at a corner of the carton assembly where the second side portion, the second end portion and the bottom portion intersect. 